we don't need shooters, all we need are a backup center for yao and a decent backup pg (who can pass the ball and shoot the open shot, and that is not hard to find). Artest sometimes makes me think he is crazy, and we don't need him when we have batman and t mac on the team.
I admit he does have plus points.Good height,speed,dunking,physical strength,finishing is pretty good and he is a good defender. Certainly an upgrade from Luther Head no doubt in every way.
We need a new PG and a new SG/SF. I`d be happy with any of those 3! But Toronto won`t let Calderon walk. So if we are looking for a PG, we would have to look at a T.J Ford, André Miller or even Beno Udrih. Mike Miller might be realistic. The Grizzlies are in a major rebuilding process, and basically gave away Gasol for free. They won`t do that mistake again, but maybe they are fine with an expiring contract (BJ) and a first round pick. For Artest I`m not so sure. He will cost around 10 mil. And we don`t really have that kind of money. Sure, a package with Battier, Head and Brooks would probably do, but Artest might be a major bust. Marion would be a dream come true... but not realistic. He probably won`t opt out of his contract, and even if he would there is no way a team would get him for the MLE. He is just too good of a player. Now for Marion I would be fine trading Battier and some other pieces. All in all, if we get Mike Miller and one of the PGs I stated above I`d be really thrilled. If we somehow find a decent backup center I`m confident, that we are a title contender, if there aren`t too many injuries.
Mike Miller. Artest would be great for this team, but the Kings' asking price may be too high. Miller can likely be had for expiring contracts and picks. The Rockets have plenty to offer in that regard. Miller is exactly what this team needs. He's taller and stronger than Luther. He's a great shooter. And he's already played with T-Mac and Shane, so chemistry won't be an issue(we can't guarantee that with Artest).
I really think Miller would fit perfectly here. Great shooter, great motion without the ball and adequate on defense. Now not nearly as versatile, but I think those 3 could be just as good, if not better, than the Boston 3. The reason I say better, is because we have a legitimate interior presence and the best center in the league. I am not sure what Memphis would want though, or if they still want expiring contracts. I, for one, do not want to trade anyone outside Bobby, Luther, Novak (before I get bashed... Miller makes Novak expendable for sure), Francis and draft picks.
If Elton Brand opts out I would throw the house at in him in a S&T. My criteria behind taking on a third max contract or third superstar, in general, is only if it sets you over the top and puts you in position to win a championship. Brand fits that criteria. Anybody outside of T-Mac, Yao and Battier I would consider expendable in this unique situation. That's no disrespect to our rookies at all either it's just if you add Brand to that Yao, T-Mac and Battier core we are IMMEDIATELY 60-win-good and championship material. I'd kill for a guy like Brand and Jamison or Marion, to a lesser degree. Everytime I watch the Celtics or Lakers you can't help but salivate when you see what adding these superstar PF's have done to these otherwise average basketball teams.
no that guy is still looking to get paid big time i doubt that he will sign for the MLE so cheap thats part of the reason why he asked out of phoenix because he was tired of being considered third fiddle behind nash and amare. amare is a good player made great because of nash (IMO) marion was self made he was an all-star before nash got there and after nash was there. he would be behind two legitimate stars in tmac and yao here i dont think he would like that. i would like artest if he keeps his head straight, realistically i would prefer miller a guy who can create, slash and is a deep threat
how is he being overlooked? shawn marion will not opt out of his contract unless he views that he can receive comparable money to what he is making now from another team. and since many of the top free agents this year are restricted (limiting the movement in free agency), you can expect that that a team with cap space will definitely have more than the MLE to offer him.
Calderon is the only elite PG that won´t be paid too much, gotta go after him if the Raptors fail to move TJ Ford, or maybe we could end up aquiring TJ Ford.
As much as I would love a 50%FG/40%3ptFG/80%FT pure point guard on this team, there's no way Colangelo is going to let Calderon go. They'll eat Ford's contract and make HIM the back up if they have to. Calderon does pretty much everything Ford can do--but better. They match anything he gets offered I bet.
I don't think people understand how good Ron Artest is. He is a star like player on offense who can take you off the dribble, shoot, post up and is an underrated passer. He is also an elite defender. When you factor in his defense i believe he is better than some of the stars of the league like Melo, Joe Johnson, and Ray Allen because he does it on both ends. That will probably be the reason why he stays with the Kings, they'll be able to pay the most for him.
Out of the choices you listed, I like Artest the best. He's a beast on defense and is difficult to guard on offense. He's also big enough to play the 4 at times and is a decent rebounder.
